Letters to the editor: 10/26

American Cemetery in France hit by shutdown

On Oct. 1, I was with a group of 35 Americans. We were in France, and the main interest of the tour was the American Cemetery and the beaches of Normandy. You can imagine our disappointment when we realized that we would be unable to go to the cemetery due to the shutdown of the finances of the United States. We had traveled 3,000 miles to pay our respects to our fallen warriors. We were in disbelief that such a thing could happen. We all felt that it was important for us to honor these brave Americans who crossed an ocean and died in a foreign country fighting for our freedom.

At the age of 78, I doubt that I will be making another trip to the American Cemetery but I will certainly remember this when the next election comes. We do vote.

Mary Bastian-VanVoorhis

Poughkeepsie

Senate Dems wouldn't negotiate on ACA

The Poughkeepsie Journal, the Associated Press and the rest of the national press would have us believe it was the Republicans who caused the government shutdown. That is a reasonable conclusion only if we accept the notion that the House of Representatives' continuing resolution should have been pre-approved by the Senate. The House Republicans did what a majority party is elected to do: They passed a bill that furthered the Republican agenda and responded to the demands of their constituents.

The process broke down when the Senate Democrats refused to negotiate. When we have a divided Congress, nothing happens without negotiation. It was to be expected that the Senate would not negotiate the defunding of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). When the House sent a new bill that funded the ACA but delayed the individual mandate and abolished the special congressional subsidies, it got more difficult to justify the refusal to negotiate. These provisions of the bill did not seem unreasonable, but the Democrats in the Senate continued to stonewall. Their message to the House Republicans was: Send us the bill we demand - they called it a "clean" bill - there will be no negotiation.

That is not the way the legislative process works. Setting aside how any of us feels about the inclusion of the ACA in the continuing resolution, the simple fact is the Senate Democrats' refusal to engage in the normal legislative process is what caused the government to shut down.

Bill Graves

Verbank

Neighbor offers to improve cemetery

I would like to comment on Raymond Torbeck's letter regarding the cemetery across from the Cablevision in Wappingers Falls ("Cemetery needs some tending to"). I live very close to that cemetery. It is an interesting record of history and contains the remains of people who lived here centuries ago. I have bulb flowers I would like to plant at the gravesites. With the help of a few people, I am sure we could improve this site.

Terrie Tuttle

Wappingers Falls

Poughkeepsie libraries have great Friends

On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District as well as the greater Poughkeepsie community, I want to thank the Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District for their dedication and hard work that help make our library the best public library in the Hudson Valley. We celebrate their time and efforts during National Friends of Libraries Week (Oct. 20-26) and appreciate their fundraising and "friendraising" efforts on our behalf. They are a great group of people. You should join them!

Tom Lawrence

library director, Poughkeepsie Public Library District

Poughkeepsie

LaGrange library thanks its Friends for support

The week of Oct. 20-26 will recognize the sixth annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. I would like to issue a public "thank you" to the Friends of LaGrange Association Library, who dutifully contribute so much of their energy, time and expertise to enhance our services. Our Friends group was formed in 1986 and over the course of recent years has donated $20,000 to the library's building and general fund. They have supported programs that enhance the library services for our community in the form of a new book drop (in conjunction with Hudson Valley Credit Union), new computers, quarterly townwide newsletters and a high-speed color copier. Often, when you participate in a library program free of charge, you can thank the FOL for covering the programming costs (i.e., teen baby-sitting classes or summer reading program prizes).

I state with pride that the LaGrange Association Library is a central community service for all to enjoy. Our Friends group is a source of pride as well. During this special week, I invite the community to call the library to find out how they can join and support this outstanding group.

Sarah Potwin

library director, LaGrange Association Library

LaGrange

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Letters to the editor: 10/26

On Oct. 1, I was with a group of 35 Americans. We were in France, and the main interest of the tour was the American Cemetery and the beaches of Normandy.